A SEX attacker who assaulted a woman in broad daylight was tracked down eight years later by DNA evidence.

A SEX attacker who assaulted a woman in broad daylight was tracked down eight years later by DNA evidence.

Paul Jackson thought he had got away with the serious attack, but when he was arrested last year for a suspected drugs offence his secret emerged.

A DNA swab was taken from him and when it was checked against the police database it was found to match that found after the sex attack in 1998.

Jackson, aged 43, of Greenacres Court, Braddocks Close, Hurstead, initially denied being involved, but later claimed what had gone on had been consensual at the woman's instigation. A jury rejected his account.

Jailing him for six years at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, Judge Brian Lewis said: "In broad daylight you randomly chose a woman against whom you committed despicable and serious sexual offences."

He said that during the attack Jackson had sexually humiliated the woman but his final humiliating act was his downfall because he left behind DNA which led to him being traced eight years later.

"In terms of violent indecent assault this was as serious as it gets. You have shown no remorse," said Judge Lewis.

He ordered Jackson to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He had been convicted of two offences of indecent assault.

Stuart Clare, prosecuting, said that in December 1998 a Bolton woman was walking along Warrington Road by Alexandra Park in Wigan.

She saw Jackson sitting in a small white van, but thought nothing of it and walked into the park. Halfway through she saw he had got out of his van and when she reached the far side near Manor Street he came up behind her.

He grabbed her left arm tightly and said: "I have something for Christmas for you" and pulled her into an alleyway.

She protested, but he dragged her to another alley, where the attack took place.

Jackson was arrested in August last year about the unrelated offence and a DNA swab was taken from him. After the match was made he was re-arrested in October and charged with indecent assault.

Adam Roxburgh, defending, said that although Jackson has previous convictions he has none for sex offences and has never been in prison before.

He will find prison very difficult and had already been subjected to a torrent of abuse by a prisoner in the court cells because of the nature of the offence.

He has lost his job, his home and his relationship with his partner.

He has also lost his relationship with his estranged daughter which he had been working on. He has a long-term depression problem and is currently on medication.